Remaining Deer Management Permits Available for Hunters

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that remaining Deer Management Permits (DMPs) in several Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) will be available to hunters beginning November 1.

Deer Management Permits, which allow hunters to harvest antlerless deer, are issued for specific WMUs to control deer populations. In some WMUs, all applicants received permits during the initial application process. In units where the DMP target has not been reached, DEC will re-open the DMP application process on a first-come, first-served basis. Hunters may apply for up to two additional DMPs in these WMUs at any DEC license sales outlet beginning November 1.

Leftover DMPs are not available by phone, mail, or internet. Applicants who previously paid the $10 DMP application fee during the initial application period, or are exempt from the application fee, will not be charged for this additional application. Hunters who did not previously apply for a deer management permit are required to pay the $10 application fee.

During this extended application period, DEC will issue DMPs for an individual WMU until the target issuance quota is achieved. The status of permits will be reviewed each night, and as individual units are filled they will be removed from the list of those available effective the following day. A list of units with available leftover DMPs will routinely be updated on DEC's website or via the DMP Hotline at 1-866-472-4332.

Deer populations are above desired levels in all of the units with leftover DMPs. DEC encourages hunters to use these leftover tags to take an additional antlerless deer or two. Stock up on venison, make a bit more sausage, share an extra deer with your neighbors and friends, or donate the extra deer to those in need through the Venison Donation Coalition (link leaves DEC's website).